Inspired!

BN Health & Fitness: What You Need To Know About Sex

Although sex is a major part of our daily lives, it is still somewhat of a taboo to talk about it in the Nigerian circles. The article just lists a few helpful facts and tips to have a healthier sex life.

Benefits of Sex

Healthy
Sex is exercise. Therefore, it is good for your heart. However, it depends how vigorously you do it. In men, research has shown that men who have regular sex (about two times a week) are less likely to have heart attacks than those who do not. Sex on its own is not enough to keep a majority of people fit and healthy. This is because the average peak heart rate at orgasm is the same as during light exercise such as walking. So please remember to do other forms of exercises to maintain a healthy lifestyle and heart.

Reduced Stress
Having a stressful day? Rather than going for a drink, go home to your partner. Studies have shown that sex reduces stress. It stimulates the production of endorphins which are natural mood boosters and stress relievers.

Pain Reliever
Women, you will have to stop that headache excuse now! The endorphins released during sex also act as natural pain-killing hormones. These help to soothe nerve impulses that cause pain such as menstrual cramps, headaches, migraines and even joint pain. Furthermore, a hormone produced before orgasm called oxycotin (also known as the ‘love hormone’) also affects our emotions which can lead to the forming of strong emotional bonds between the couple.

Glowing Skin
Women this is for you! Have you noticed that after sex people say you look good or have a glow? If you have more sex, you have higher levels of oestrogen. If you have higher levels of oestrogen, you get glowing smoother skin. More sex= glowing smoother skin. Simple.

Strengthened Immune System
Research has shown that people who have regular sex have higher levels of Immunoglobulin A. Immunoglobulin A is an antibody that aids protection from infections. However, further research has shown that people who have much more sex than normal have lower levels of Immunoglobulin A. So don’t overdo it!

Increased Attention
When you are sexually active, you ooze pheromones. Basically, pheromones make us more attractive to the opposite sex. So the more sex you have, the more your partner will want you. But beware; you might even have to start fighting off unwanted attention.

Fun
Sex is meant to be fun. So remember to enjoy yourself and try new things.

The next thing to talk about is what you absolutely have to do if you are sexually active.

Use a Condom
This is the fundamental rule of casual sex. No glove no love. And if you think your partner is playing around, use a condom as well until you are sure. You cannot tell if someone has an STI or HIV/AIDS by looking at their face.

Have Regular Sexual Health Check-ups
The general consensus is to have a check-up every 3 months. But remember to have a check-up anytime you have unprotected sex.

Keep Your Privates Healthy
Women- use plain, unperfumed soap to wash the vaginal area once a day. The vagina will clean itself inside your body with natural vaginal secretions (discharge). It might be beneficial to clean the vaginal area twice a day when on your period. Cleanliness should ward off any accusations of a “fishy smelling” vagina. Men- use plain water to wash the penis daily. If you have a foreskin, pull it back gently and wash underneath. Not washing underneath the foreskin can cause build-up a cheesy-looking substance called smegma which can become very smelly.

Here are a few tips to guide if you have sexual health concerns.Men: In men, the most common sexual health problems are premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction (impotence). Most men will go through both these conditions at different points in their lives. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by medical conditions and use of medical and recreational drugs; while premature ejaculation can be caused by over excitement or anxiety. With erectile dysfunction, it is best to see a doctor for an assessment and treatment. However, if you smoke or drink or use drugs, you can try quitting and the problem will usually go away within a few months. For premature ejaculation, the easiest thing to do would be to have sex again straight away. The man should last longer the second time around. Men also find that using a condom helps them last longer. If this does not help, see a doctor and they will be able to offer advice.

Women: In women, the most common sexual health problems are pain during intercourse, loss of desire and inability to orgasm. Although these can all be caused by medical conditions, one can try techniques at home before contacting a doctor for advice. It is very important for women to have a lot of foreplay before sexual intercourse. Take your time, do some research into sexual pleasure. Learn more about your vagina anatomy especially the clitoris. The knowledge you gain will prove fundamental in enjoying your sexual encounters.

Fun facts for Men
• You can break your penis: Although there are no bones in the penis; the tubes in the penis which fill up with blood during an erection can burst. 1/3rd of all reported cases which occur during sex are caused by when a partner is on top.

• You get several erections in one night: Reportedly, men have 3-5 erections in one with night with each lasting 25 to 35 minutes.

• Your shoe size has nothing to do with your penis size: I’m sorry guys and girls but researchers have found no link between shoe size and penis length.

• If your penis is smaller it gets a bigger erection: Simply put, shorter penises increase more in length than longer penises during an erection.

• Your penis is not a muscle: The penis is made up of a spongy material that fills up with blood during erection. This blood is contained in two tube shaped chambers which cause the penis to grow in size and stiffen. When this happens, the increased swelling blocks off the veins that usually takes blood away from the penis. Due to this, you cannot move your penis much when it becomes erect.

Fun Facts for Women

• Your vagina will return to its regular size: Most women are concerned that having sexual intercourse with someone with a large penis can stretch their vagina to a point of no return. This is not true, although after having a baby your vagina can become looser. Not to worry, you can do some exercises to help combat this.

• Vaginas do not look the same on the outside: Your vagina can be compared to facial features. You face might be similar but is not identical to someone else’s. This is the same with the outside of the vagina.

• Exercise will do wonders for your vagina: Ladies, look up kegel exercises and your partner will thank you.

• You cannot lose a tampon or object in your vagina: Objects cannot leave your vagina by travelling upwards into your body. So if you something stuck there, it cannot travel any further.

• Your clitoris is an important part in sexual pleasure: There are 8000 nerve endings in the clitoris unlike 4000 in the penis. This means women have the potential to have explosive orgasms if the clitoris is stimulated appropriately.

In conclusion, sex is an important part of our daily lives with health advantages. I hope this article has shed some light on some sex related concerns. If you have any other concerns, please contact a health advisor or your doctor.Photo Credit: voicemymind.com

______________________________________________________________________________________Ola Fakoya is a senior clinical Advisor and CEO of Powerrus. She is interested in the globalisation of healthcare, and is an advocate for healthy living. Powerrus is a healthcare advisory service that offers worldwide healthcare service comparison for international clients. You can follow her on Twitter @Powerrus2 or at www.powerrus.co.uk

@iyke, right you are. It takes more to please women than it does men and when we are stressed, if you man dont please you the right way, you end up being completely upset that you started out in the first place. Havent seen the glow yet, but i will look out for it.

“Casual Sex” leads to destruction. Just keeping it 100. Sex
is meant for marriage, period. Great tips but readers beware, don’t
just screw for “fun” as it’s some sport. Sex is certainly meant to
be enjoyable and fun when done in the proper context, and that’s
marriage. And to the BN team: be mindful of your platform. You DO
have a responsibility for the info you put out there in the public
domain. May God grant you all the wisdom to not get caught up in
the “hype” of sensational articles. Peace & Love.

Hmmm,thanks oo. Whenever I tell the boo no sex, he gets all upset. Maybe that’s why he broke up with me sef as he started acting up after….oh well, glad to know we still have men willing to wait till after marriage.

This vagina and soap washing conundrum sha! Best thing that
ever happened to my headquarters was when i went ‘green’ and
started using just water. My take is that maybe PH balance’s vary
for everyone so you just have to find what works for you. ‘Cos for
me soap, scented or unscented and even all them summers eve and
vagasil only leads to yawa.

LOL. I have read that somewhere as well (you ant see me now but I am thoroughly contemplating this).. Let me add to the fact list.. 5inches is all a man needs. From some article I read, the woman’s g-spot is located 5 inches into her vajayjay so the brothers with the 5 inch have a better chance of well you know.. Therefore, bigger is not necessarily better or more satisfying.

@ kay: in response to your “errrm” – here’s the point.
Irrespective of if its’ entertainment, real people will read this
info and make a decision. the BN team has a choice and makes a
decision before they put articles. Mines was just suggestion.
Believe it or not Kay, real people actually do come here and read
and are influenced to act upon the advice they read on this site.
Of course it’s not BN’s responsibility of who does what after
reading respective articles; as they have no control over that.
BUT, they do have control of what they put out there and I’m
entitled to share my opinion as you are as well. So it’s not a
matter of being religious dear. #LetItMarinate

I completely agree on “if your penis is smaller it gets a
bigger erection: Simply put, shorter penises increase more in
length than longer penises during an erection.” When I first saw my
bfs penis, I was scared he was too small so I stalled sex for
months until I gave up and guess what his penis when erect was
bigger than my ex bf who had a big one.lol Educative
article

Lovely article… yes i was really addicted to this vaginal
soaps until my gyno told me im ruining my vagina i should just wash
it with water as it cleanses it self.Yeah i love my kegel exercises as for uncircumsised d*** i just can’t to be honest my man will
have to go cut it lol

If sex really makes the skin glow, why do most prostitutes have blotched skin?? *just wondering. I believe it’s the way you feel about the person you’re having sex with that makes the sex fun, orgasmic, and leads to the glowing skin. Good sex is great and makes you feel wonderful. Except your man is horrible in bed, I don’t see the reason to feign a headache or tiredness in order to avoid shagging the man!!